MYSTERY SAMPAN

Hokitika Guardian, 9 April 1934, Page 8

MYSTERY SAMPAN

QUEENSLAND COAST VISITOR MANNED 3bY JAPANESE CREW Information concerning <a mysterious sampan which has been operating in northern waters ii>as been supplied by survivors pf the launch Mildred, who arrived at Cairns, Queensland, lastweek. They state that they boarded a mysterious vessel north of Cape Tribulations o n March 5 prior to the recent cyclone, It was a Japanese boat named the Eaciii Maru, about 70ft. long, 18ft beam and with & draft of about Gftv, lt. + bad, an 80 horse-power Japanese Diesel engine. There were more than 30 persons on. board the vessel, which was procuring trocus shell, and.al certain weed .used extensively in Japan for medicinal purposes. There were revolvers and rifles on board.

The Japanese informed the men from the ‘Mildred that it would be all right if a Japanese boat approached, but if white men came near they would fire. The vessel was painted a dull white and contained no cabins, the crew sleeping on the hatch 'and deck. There was a small bridge on the vessel for lookout purposes. The Japanese on the sampan stated that when they noticed 'any ships piassing they all put on women’s clothing in order to give the impreessio n that the sampan was a passenger boat. The Mildred iand the s'ampan anchored alongside each other on the night of March 6, 'and shortly after dawn the sampa n left. The following morning a destroyer was noticed steaming southward toward Thursday Island, but the sampan by. that time was well out of the reefs and out of view of the destroyer. Further reports of the sianip'an were brought to Oairns a day later by two launches which had been searching for wreckage after the cyclone . Mr W. F'avell' said that while the launch Nagneto was cruising along Biatt Reef 'a vessel with no masts was sighted. The Magneto got within three miles of the stranger, and thinking she was derelict, prepared to effect a rsdeue when sRe suddenly turned northward gathered speed and emitted ■a great deal of smoke. Air Max Schebe, of Port Douglas also reported a strange vessel at- Tongle Reef. When lie tried to get near it the stranger steamed lawtoy, and when Schebe dropped anchor the stranger also dropped a n anchor.